Music Kit - 1 Music Resource Kit ─ Introduction This kit was designed for small and rural libraries who want to host a music program without the expense of buying materials. Kit contents are meant for in-library use, and not intended to be checked out to individual patrons. The Colorado State Library (CSL) has launched the Let’s Learn About It!: CSL Big Red Resource Kits initiative to help small libraries within the state provide STEAM programming for their patrons at little to no cost. The program ideas inside can be implemented by library staff who have little musical expertise. Who is this kit for? The kit is designed to be used by library staff who may know next to nothing about music themselves. Staff can use their preparation time to learn the basics, or find a musician in their community to teach a program. The materials in this kit are primarily for aspiring musicians, ages 9 and up. Adults and children who want to learn to play an instrument will be able to dip their feet into the world of music and have fun making noise in the library. Why teach music in a library? Music programs are a great way to introduce low-cost STEAM programs into your library. STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics. Educator Anna Feldman writes, “Rather than focus on rote memorization or mastery of separate topics, STEAM uses project-based students’ skills in creativity, design thinking, tech literacy, collaboration, and problem solving” (“STEAM Rising” Slate.com 6/16/2015)1. Many libraries engage their communities through unorthodox, hands-on programming that teaches STEAM principles. Music education obviously taps into the Arts, but there are also mathematical principles that underlie all instruments and composition. Music Kit - 2 Music is used every day for self-expression, entertainment, religion, therapy, forging personal connections, and inspiring every kind of emotion. Music teaches us to listen carefully. It’s also an activity that builds community in a way that can appeal to diverse groups of people. Dr. Ann Marie Stanley, a music educator, writes “Students who learn and make music get to practice all sorts of skills: choosing interpretations, making inventive decisions, solving problems, breaking down difficult issues into manageable subsections, practicing perseverance, and being creative” (foreword to publisher Dorling Kindersley’s Help Your Kids with Music). 1http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/future_tense/2015/06/steam_vs_stem_why_we_ need_to_put_the_arts_into_stem_education.html Inside this binder ● Activity & program ideas ● Community Resources Worksheet Template ● Additional resources ● Kit contents (on back cover of binder) ● Feedback Form (on clipboard) Feedback Please help us improve this kit by sharing your comments, experiences, and suggestions. You can contact Madison Basch ([email protected]) at any point along your journey. When you return the kit, please fill out and include the Feedback Form found at the end of this binder. We will update this kit’s Online Resources page https://cslkits.cvlsites.org/stem-discovery-kits/#ukes with the ideas and activities your library shares. Help us learn from your experiences and share that learning with others. Music Kit - 3 Loan period The loan period for the Music Resource Kit is 2 months. If you would like to keep it longer, please contact Madison Basch ([email protected]) to make arrangements before the loan period expires. If it is not on hold for another library, we will do our best to extend your loan. Kit contents are not intended for circulation outside of the library. Returning the kit As you prepare to return the kit, verify that it is complete using the Kit Contents checklist in this binder. Be sure to include your completed Feedback Form so that we can improve the experience for everyone. We know that materials may get damaged in transit or by patrons. If that happens to you, please contact Maddie Basch ([email protected]) and let us know right away! Music Kit - 4 Kit Contents ─ Please verify that this resource kit is complete before returning it to: Colorado State Library, Madison Basch, Courier Code 912. You may copy any of the pages from the binder, or download a copy from the red key shaped USB flash drive. You can also find information on https://cslkits.cvlsites.org/stem- discovery-kits/#ukes. Contact Madison Basch ([email protected]) with any questions. Items • 1 1” red resource kit binder containing: • 1 red key-shaped USB flash drive containing printable documents • 1 clipboard • 1 2” red resource kit binder containing: • 1 book (How to Play Ukulele: A Complete Guide for Absolute Beginners, 9781908707086) • 2 blue kazoos and cleaning wipes • Picks (including 2 pick holders, 1 white, 1 yellow) • ____ complete sets of replacement strings, plus ____ strings from incomplete sets • 2 finger shakers, one black, one blue • 8 4”x6” Ukulele Chords Cheatsheets • 2 Kala quick start guides: “Learn to Play Ukulele” • 2 white booklets: “How to Play Ukulele” • Contact tuner manuals (in sheet protector) • 8 ukuleles: • 2 Lightwish mahogany concert ukuleles (with straps attached) • 2 black Kala Color Chord ukuleles • 2 red Mahalo ukuleles • 2 purple Hola! ukuleles • 8 assorted black ukulele cases • 1 24”x36” popular ukulele chords poster (in poster tube) • 2 CDs (The Old Silo by James Hill and Travels by Jake Shimabukuro) • 1 DVD (Mighty Uke: The Amazing Comeback of a Musical Underdog documentary) • 1 black velvet bag containing: • 5 black contact tuners Music Kit - 5 Basic Ukulele Workshop ─ Introduction Teach aspiring ukulele players the basics of tuning, holding the instrument, strumming, fingering simple chords, and how to play a simple song. No theory or sheet music reading skills required. Intended Audience Recommended for ages 9 and up. Activity Goals • Players learn the names of the four strings • Players learn how to hold and strum the instrument • Players learn a few simple chords • Players learn how to play a simple song or two Description Kit materials (ukuleles, picks, etc.) Additional materials from your library that players can check out after the program A big room where learners can be noisy! What staff need to know If you’re teaching the program yourself, you should be practiced at performing at least the basic skills you are trying to teach participants. However, you do not need to be an expert or a musical genius to teach an introductory ukulele program! If you plan to invite a guest instructor, you should let that expert or performer know what equipment you will provide, and what you want the goals of the program to be. Inviting a ukulele expert is recommended but not required. Plan time to tune each of the instruments before the program starts. The instruments may need additional tuning during the session, so keep the contact tuners provided handy. Music Kit - 6 There are instruction pamphlets for the tuners in the 2” red resource kit binder, and further instructions can be found online. The kit contains multiple sources of basic information about playing the ukulele. There are also many, many tutorials online or listed in the Resources section of this book. Promotion Make a plan for promoting this activity or program. Your plan doesn’t have to be extensive, but it should address: • Age range for attendees (9 and up); • BYOU (Bring Your Own Uke) is optional • Budget; • Any existing library marketing or branding guidelines; • How you will promote the activity, which could include: o Social media o Website o Email newsletter o Printed materials like posters or bookmarks o Cross-promoting with partner organizations o Local news media • Creating promotional materials, such as graphics, press releases, or printed materials; • Timeline Music Kit - 7 Intermediate/Advanced Music Workshop Ideas ─ Introduction Either you’ve already completed the beginner workshop or you happen to know there are many advanced ukulele players or musicians in your community. You may have access to an expert musician eager to share knowledge. If you’re ready to move beyond the basics, there are plenty of ways to offer intermediate/advanced music workshops using ukuleles. Intended Audience Recommended for knowledgeable musicians ages 9 and up. Possible Activity Topics • Advanced ukulele playing techniques and songs • The basics of reading music • Basic rhythm • Styles/forms of music - their histories and what makes them different from one another • The science behind sound • The basics of harmony and scales Expanding Your Music Program Your advanced or intermediate workshop can encourage those who may be struggling with the perseverance learning music requires. Inspire them by creating a community of musicians they can lean on. Here are some potential ways to expand your music program: • Is your area full of interested beginners or advanced ukulele players? Form a ukulele choir! Be sure to schedule a public performance to give your group a goal to work toward. Being able to show off their skills to family and friends may be just the incentive new players need. Music Kit - 8 • Hold an instrument drive to donate to schools. There are many local, state, and national nonprofits who may benefit from your community’s generosity! • Create an instrument lending library! Brooklyn Public Library has created a Musical Instrument Lending Library in partnership with a local music conservatory (https://www.bklynlibrary.org/locations/central/musicloan), and all of the instruments for the program are in extremely high demand. • Lean into the mathematical aspects of music by creating more STEAM programming around the fundamentals of music theory. Even knowing a little bit about rhythm, scales, harmony, notation, etc., can enhance a person’s enjoyment of music in daily life. Putting theoretical knowledge into practice right away on a ukulele can ensure that learners won’t be bored or confused! • Invite local symphony players or other professional musicians to come to your library.